KUALA LUMPUR – Red Shirts leader Jamal Yunos’ lawyer V. Mugunthan was called out in court today for not being able to carry out questioning during a trial in Bahasa Malaysia (BM).
Defending Jamal against a defamation suit by polls reform group Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah earlier today, High Court judge Justice Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab had slammed Mugunthan for requesting to proceed questioning in English.
Minutes into the proceeding, Mugunthan said it would be “easier and more efficient” to question Maria in English.
“You should have prepared the questions in BM prior to the trial today,” Zaki told Mugunthan.
“I will allow for the use of English during certain times, but to proceed in English for the whole trial is not possible, this is why you have a co-council.”
Mugunthun’s co-council Mohammed Nasser Yusof then took over the questioning.
Meanwhile, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the appeal to dismiss Dr Mahathir’s subpoena as a witness for Jamal will be heard on Wednesday.
Jamal, who is the Sungai Besar Umno division chief, previously sought the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, his predecessor Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as his witnesses in the suit.
“Jamal Yunos will return from his pilgrimage this afternoon around 5.30pm, the affidavit will be served latest tomorrow and the hearing to dismiss Tun Dr Mahathir will be on Wednesday.
“There is nothing in Jamal’s defence case that requires Dr Mahathir,” he said.
On November 14 last year, the High Court here allowed the application by Mohamad Fuzi to dismiss the subpoena served to him.
In Maria’s lawsuit filed on October 7, she claimed Jamal had last September 28 defamed Bersih 2.0 during a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre area and had last October 4 made similar remarks at another press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters compound.
He allegedly claimed the Bersih 2.0 movement was infiltrated by terror group Islamic State, and accused it of plotting to surround two international airports and key government buildings.
Maria said the remarks had tarnished her reputation and good name.
She is seeking compensation and a court order to stop Jamal from uttering or publishing similar defamatory remarks.
– Malay Mail
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